Kia tupu ai ēnei kākano
hei rakau nui –
May these tender seedlings
grow into mighty trees
[ About ]Nau mai, haere mai ki tō mātou kura
At Oakura School, we encourage every child to be their best – striving to improve, showing kindness, and giving their full effort in all that they do. We nurture confident learners who believe in themselves, encourage others, and embrace challenges with a positive, respectful attitude.
[ Principal/TUMUAKI welcome ]It is a privilege to lead a school that sits at the heart of such a vibrant and connected community. Nestled between the moana and the stunning backdrop of Taranaki Maunga, our kura is a place where children are known, valued, and encouraged to be their very best.
At Oakura School, we believe learning flourishes when children feel a genuine sense of belonging. Our school is built on strong relationships: between students, staff, whānau and our wider community. Together we create an environment where every child feels supported to grow with confidence, curiosity and resilience.
Our guiding motto, “Be Our Best,” reflects our belief that success looks different for every learner. Through our values of Manawanui (Determination), Whanaungatanga (Belonging), and Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship), we encourage our students to persevere through challenges, care for others and their environment, and take pride in who they are and where they come from.
We are proud of the strong connections our kura holds with the whenua and with Ngāti Tairi, mana whenua of Oakura. The stories of this place are woven through our school identity and remind us that we are part of something bigger. We are a community connected through shared history, values and aspirations for our tamariki.
At Oakura School, our dedicated staff work hard to create engaging learning experiences that inspire children to think deeply, explore widely and develop the skills they need for the future. Alongside strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, students enjoy rich opportunities in sport, the arts, outdoor learning and cultural experiences.
Kia ora koutou
and welcome
to Oakura School.
Most importantly, Oakura School is a place where children feel happy, safe and proud to belong.
We warmly welcome you and your whānau to our kura and look forward to walking alongside you in your child’s learning journey.
Ngā mihi nui,
Dave Smith
Oakura School Principal/Tumuaki
He taonga te mokopuna,
kia whāngaia, kia tipu, kia rea –
A child is a treasure, to be nurtured,
to grow, to flourish
[ FAQ ]-
Our school day runs from 9:00am to 3:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Children are welcome to arrive from 8:30am, giving them time to settle in, catch up with friends and get ready for learning. Throughout the day, tamariki have a morning tea break and a lunch break, providing plenty of opportunities to eat, play and recharge. Teachers will be in classrooms from 8:30am.
9.00am - 1st Block
11.00am - Morning Tea
11.30am - 2nd Block
1.00pm - Lunch
1.50pm - 3rd Block -
Yes! Oakura School is serviced by school buses that support families living in our surrounding rural areas. Eligibility depends on where you live and the available bus routes. Our school office and bus controller can help you find out whether your child is eligible, where the nearest bus stop is, and what arrangements need to be made.
Please contact us on 06 752 7719 -
We're fortunate to have the Ōākura Community Library as part of our school. It's a wonderful resource for both our tamariki and the wider community.
Library opening hours:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 11:00am–5:00pm
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 9:00am–1:00pm
Sunday and public holidays: Closed
The library is part of the Puke Ariki library network.
For more information, visit Puke Ariki.
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Oakura School operates an enrolment scheme, which means children living within our school zone are entitled to enrol. All students who live within the home zone described below and/or shown on the attached map shall be entitled to enrol at the school.
Both sides of roads are included in-zone.
The zone begins at the intersection of South Road (State Highway 45) and 23 Plymouth Road. The zone travels south until the intersection of Carrington Road and continues to the end of Plymouth Road.
The zone returns to the intersection with Carrington Road and Plymouth Road and then follows Carrington Road west until the intersection with Upper Pitone Road. (No addresses on Upper Pitone Road are included in zone).
The zone then travels in a north western direction to meet the end of Timaru Road (Upper).
The zone follows Timaru Road until the intersection with South Road (State Highway 45).
The zone travels north along South Road (State highway 45) until the intersection with Timaru Road (Lower).
The zone travels west along Timaru Road until the intersection with Greenwood Road.
The zone continues westward along Greenwood Road until the intersection with Lower Pitone Road. (No addresses on Lower Pitone Road are included in zone).
The zone continues in a straight line westward to meet the coastline. (All addresses in Greenwood Road are included in zone).
The zone follows the coast in a northerly direction until adjacent to 74 Washer Rd.
Then the zone travels south-easterly from 74 Washer Rd till find the intersection of South Road (State Highway 45) with Plymouth Road re-joining the starting point.
Proof of residence within the home zone will be required.
If you're unsure whether your address falls within our zone, please get in touch with our school office. We're more than happy to help. We also offer a limited number of out-of-zone places when space allows, with applications usually advertised in September for the following school year.
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We love welcoming new families to Oakura School! If you're considering enrolling your child, we'd be delighted to show you around, introduce you to our school and answer any questions you may have. Simply contact our school office to arrange a visit or a meeting with our Principal. We also provide transition visits for our new entrant tamariki to help them feel happy, confident and ready for their first day of school.